14CONFAP Understanding Cell Wall Structure and Hydrolysis of Two Leading C4 Bioenergy Crops to Improve Second Generation Bioethanol Production
Reference Number
BB/M029182/1
Title
14CONFAP Understanding Cell Wall Structure and Hydrolysis of Two Leading C4 Bioenergy Crops to Improve Second Generation Bioethanol Production
Status
Completed
Energy Categories
Not Energy Related
Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Other bio-energy)
Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Other bio-energy)
Research Types
Basic and strategic applied research
Science and Technology Fields
BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences)
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation
Not Cross-cutting
Principal Investigator
Dr LD Gomez
Biology
University of York
Biology
University of York
Award Type
Research Grant
Funding Source
BBSRC
Start Date
01 January 2015
End Date
31 March 2016
Duration
15 months
Total Grant Value
£20,285
Industrial Sectors
Region
Yorkshire & Humberside
Programme
Newton Fund - Brazil (NFB)
Web Site
Objectives
This grant is linked to BB/M029212/1.
Abstract
WP1: Tailored enzyme cocktails matching feedstock & pretreatment.
The aim will be to provide preliminary data on the potential of cocktail-feedstock-pretreatment matching. Commercial bagasse samples will undergo different pretreatments and hydrolysis with tailored enzyme cocktails and a commercial cocktail as reference. Pretreatments and tailored cocktail compositions will be selected based on expertise and scoping exercises.
WP2: Engineering the hydrolytic enzymes and feedstocks of the future.
Synthetic biology offers exciting opportunities to facilitate the release of sugars from plant biomass. The Dr Buckeridge group has fully characterized a cell wall modification system active during gas space (aerenchyma) formation in sugarcane root development. We will seek to provide proof of concept that by increasing cell wall separation and porosity with enzymes specific for grass walls, a biological pretreatment could lead to an increase in accessibility to the other polymers of the cell wall. We will also organize a workshop to effectively capture the potential of synthetic biology approaches.
WP3: Effect of environmental and genetic factors on cell wall biomass quality and conversion.
The composition and architecture of cell wall biomass can differ significantly depending on tissue, species, cultivar, and environmental conditions. We will utilize facilities at the National Plant Phenomics Centre (NPPC-Aberystwyth) to begin assessment of this variation. Selected sugarcane and Miscanthus varieties will be grown in different soil types to mimic fertile, semi-fertile and poor conditions. Plants will undergo detailed phenotyping in the NPCC during different water treatments (severe drought, moderate drought and well watered). Harvested samples will undergo cell wall phenotyping. The integration of data will provide essential information on how differences in biomass tissue, genetics, and environmental conditions impact on cell wall quality and biomass deconstruction.
The aim will be to provide preliminary data on the potential of cocktail-feedstock-pretreatment matching. Commercial bagasse samples will undergo different pretreatments and hydrolysis with tailored enzyme cocktails and a commercial cocktail as reference. Pretreatments and tailored cocktail compositions will be selected based on expertise and scoping exercises.
WP2: Engineering the hydrolytic enzymes and feedstocks of the future.
Synthetic biology offers exciting opportunities to facilitate the release of sugars from plant biomass. The Dr Buckeridge group has fully characterized a cell wall modification system active during gas space (aerenchyma) formation in sugarcane root development. We will seek to provide proof of concept that by increasing cell wall separation and porosity with enzymes specific for grass walls, a biological pretreatment could lead to an increase in accessibility to the other polymers of the cell wall. We will also organize a workshop to effectively capture the potential of synthetic biology approaches.
WP3: Effect of environmental and genetic factors on cell wall biomass quality and conversion.
The composition and architecture of cell wall biomass can differ significantly depending on tissue, species, cultivar, and environmental conditions. We will utilize facilities at the National Plant Phenomics Centre (NPPC-Aberystwyth) to begin assessment of this variation. Selected sugarcane and Miscanthus varieties will be grown in different soil types to mimic fertile, semi-fertile and poor conditions. Plants will undergo detailed phenotyping in the NPCC during different water treatments (severe drought, moderate drought and well watered). Harvested samples will undergo cell wall phenotyping. The integration of data will provide essential information on how differences in biomass tissue, genetics, and environmental conditions impact on cell wall quality and biomass deconstruction.
Data
No related datasets
Projects
No related projects
Publications
No related publications
Added to Database
08/04/16
